Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has said his criticism of President Bola Tinubu is based on principle and not personal hostility towards the President.
Momodu said he would readily support Tinubu if the President remained committed to the democratic principles for which they fought during Nigeria’s years of military rule.
The veteran journalist stated this during an appearance on Arise TV, where he discussed his relationship with Tinubu and his concerns about the direction of the country’s democracy.
According to Momodu, he has no personal animosity towards the President and would have no reason to oppose him if his administration upheld the democratic values they once fought to establish.
“I will ordinarily swim to the depth of the Atlantic Ocean for Tinubu if he was practising what we fought against when we were fighting the military,” Momodu said.
He, however, warned that he would be hypocritical if he supported what he described as a drift from military dictatorship to civilian dictatorship.
“There is no earthly reason why I would not, but I would be a bloody hypocrite if after we claimed to have changed the way of military dictatorship, we now replace it with civilian dictatorship. That’s my only problem with him,” he said.
Momodu stressed that his criticism of Tinubu should not be interpreted as personal hatred, saying he continues to hold the President in high regard.
“Everything else, you see, when they are abusing him, you won’t see me abusing him,” he said.
The ADC chieftain recalled that Tinubu was among the political figures who influenced his development and encouraged him to challenge established authority.
“I have tremendous regards for him, and he was one of those who trained me and instilled this kind of discipline that, look, you can take on the establishment and win. And he did win,” Momodu said.
He also acknowledged Tinubu’s political achievements in Lagos, arguing that the record established by the President during his years in Lagos contributed significantly to his emergence as a major national political figure.
“And that is why that was the record he carried from Lagos as a local champion to a national champion,” he said.
Momodu has in recent months maintained that his disagreements with Tinubu are centred largely on governance, democratic values and the President’s approach to the 2027 presidential election.
In an earlier interview, he challenged Tinubu to present the performance record of his administration to Nigerians ahead of the 2027 election, arguing that the President should be judged on his achievements rather than personal sentiments.
The ADC chieftain has also criticised what he considers attempts to weaken opposition politics and democratic institutions, while calling for stronger political competition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Momodu’s latest comments underline the distinction he has repeatedly drawn between his personal relationship with Tinubu and his political criticism of the administration.